Apparatus fob direct



E. VIGNEAULT 2,336,657 FOR DIRECT, RAPID, AND CONTINUOUS TINGNON-FERROUS METALS Filed June 30. 1941 APPARATUS MEL 7` iw M my 9 @y fZUM/zd Patented Dec. 14, 1943 APPARATUS FOR DIRECT, RAPID, AND CON-TINUOUS MELTING 0F NONFERROUS METALS Edmond Vigneault, Three Rivers,Quebec,

Canad Application June 30, 1941, Serial No. 400,406

1 Claim. (Cl. 266-33) is in the nature of a iire chamber designated byThe present invention pertains to a novel apparatus and method fordirect, rapid and continuous melting of non-ferrous metals. Theprincipal object of the invention is to melt metal continuously by theapplication of heat in a novel manner.

More specifically, the heat is applied in the form of a heat jetinjected directly into the melting chamber and in direct contact withthe lower part of the metal filling the said melting chamber. The oilburner is in perfect combustion and heat is injected as the combustionproduct of a fully controlled mixture of oil and air in correctproportions, as a result of which there is an exothermic reaction at themetal and consequently immediate fusion at the surfaces thereof.Further, the melting chamber being provided with a chimney for enteringthe metal to be melted, the metal not in contact with the heat jetis-preheated by the escaping gases.

In order that the process may proceed at a speedy and uniform rate, Iprovide for the im` mediate withdrawal of the molten metal. This is doneby means of a spout extending from the bottom of the melting chamber andpreferably at a point opposite the point of heat injection.

Another object of the invention is to maintain the metal in moltencondition after it has been withdrawn from the melting chamber. Thisobject is accomplished by permitting the molten metal to flow from thespout into a portable receiver which is provided with means for theinjection of an auxiliary heat jet. In this operation, use is made of'the principle that insulated molten metal may be maintained in thatstate by the application of comparatively little heat.`

into a heated vessel, a great economy of time and The larger vesselshown in Figure 1 includes af metal cylinder I lined with a refractorymaterial 2 such as heat-resisting fire brick. The interior the numeral3.

In one side of the receptacle and near the bottom of the chamber 3 isformed a spout or opening 4 which serves as the intake for the heatingmedium, as will presently appear. Opposite to the spout 4 and alsocommunicating with the bottom of the chamber 3 is a discharge spout 6for the molten metal;

A quantity of metal in the form of blocks or the like is dropped throughthe flue I4 to the bottom of the chamber 3, said quantity in rigid formmay rise to the top, and the heat for melting the same is, provided by aspecially constructed oilburner 5 positioned to throw a flame into thepassage 4. This burner is designed to discharge a ame in perfectcombustion and is described in detail in my co-pending application,Serial No. 389,822, filed April 22, 1941.

The invention utilizes the principle whereby a metal in molten conditioncan be maintained in this state by the use of comparatively littleapplied heat. Another vessel or receiver 1 is positioned beneath thedischarge spout 6 and is preferably mounted in a fire brick receptacle8, forming therewith an air jacket 9. The member l also has a lateralpassage I0 extending to the I the passage I0. The receptacle 8l hashandles II for carrying.v and the vessel 'I is equipped with a hingedlid I2.

In order to confine the generated and radiant heat in the chamber 3, thelatter is provided with a fire brick cover member I3 in its upperportion. From this member is extended a flue or Achimney I4 for thepurpose of providing a gas escape and entrance for the metal to bemelted.

The application of heat under perfect combustion produces an exotherrnicreaction and rapid melting of the metallic surface. The molten metal isimmediately drawn off through the spout 6 and replaced lautomatically bygravity by the pre-heated metal so that the melting is continuous in there chamber 3. The molten metal which has been drawn off is maintained inthe molten condition in the air-insulated receiver I with or without theapplication of auxiliary heat, as necessary, and is also replaced by newmetal introduced in the flue I4 in order to be pre-heated by the heat ofthe chamber 3 and escaping gases. The vessel I--I 2 is also useful fortransferring the molten metal to another:

point. Thus, the metal is maintained in the molten condition easily andinexpensively.

In the modification shown in Figures 2 and 3, the cover and ilue in themain melting chamber are replaced by a nre brick screen I5.

This de-iv vice further serves the purpose of increasing the asados?What I claim is:

A device for melting metal comprising a firebrick lined receptacleforming a melting chamber, said receptacle having a lateral passagecommunicating with thebottom of said chamber. said chamber having avertical wall opposite said passage, means Vi'or injecting an oil flameinto said chamber through said passage, and a discharge spout havingapproximately the diameter of said passage extending 'i'rom the bottomof said chamber at said wall opposite said passage, and a nre-brickscreen in the top of said chamber, and having openings therethrough to'the atmosphere, for entering metal in said chamber.

EDMOND VIGNEAULT.

